Royals Place Bobby Witt Jr. On Injured List - MLB Trade Rumors

What the report says

MLB Trade Rumors reported that the Kansas City Royals placed star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. on the 10-day injured list on July 22 because of lower back tightness. To fill the roster opening, Kansas City selected infielder Andrew Velazquez from Triple-A Omaha. The club also moved right-hander Stephen Kolek from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list to create a 40-man roster spot for Velazquez.

The move removes the Royals’ top player from a struggling team that MLB Trade Rumors described as 42-60, near the bottom of both the American League and Major League Baseball standings. The outlet noted that Kansas City was already expected to approach the trade deadline as a seller, and Witt’s absence further underlines that position. Witt, 26, has hit .279 with a .350 on-base percentage and .450 slugging percentage, along with 13 home runs and 30 stolen bases in 35 attempts. MLB Trade Rumors also cited FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference estimates placing him near five wins above replacement.

Kansas City did not provide a recovery timetable beyond the injured-list placement. MLB Trade Rumors noted that even a short absence could affect Witt’s potential MVP candidacy, with his value metrics keeping him in the American League race despite the Royals’ poor record.

In Witt’s absence, the publication reported that the Royals are expected to use a shortstop mix including Tyler Tolbert, Nick Loftin, Josh Rojas and Velazquez. Kolek’s transfer reflects the seriousness of his flexor strain; MLB Trade Rumors said the move keeps him out until at least mid-September and could effectively end his season, though the team had not issued a formal medical update.